Fancy Nancy: Budding Ballerina

Fancy Nancy

by Jane O'Connor, Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrations)

What starts out as dancing school just for Dad quickly turns into a ballet class for Nancy's whole family. Fans of Fancy Nancy will delight in learning to plie, pirouette, and jete with Nancy as she demonstrates all of the positions she's learned in ballet class.

From the New York Times bestselling team Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser, who have entertained millions of girls and boys with the Fancy Nancy series.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Kids, Chapter Books

24 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2013

About the author

Since the publication of Fancy Nancy, Jane O'Connor's closet now boasts so many boas, tiaras, and sparkly ensembles that sometimes friends do not recognize her on the street. She still resides (that's a fancy word for lives) in New York City with her family and their canine companion, Arrow. --from the publisher's website

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was able to lure my niece into one more Fancy Nancy story with me. We do love that story and she needs a few more stories for her summer reading. This was not our favorite. I love ballet and I love Fancy Nancy, but something seemed to be missing from this story that is usually there. Nancy didn’t sparkle like she normally does. I’m sad to say that. It’s still a good story, just not great.

Nancy has a ballet lesson, comes home and gives her family lessons and then puts on a performance. The fancy words really are either dance words or not that fancy. She usually bungles something she is trying to do toward the end to embarrass herself and doesn’t do that here.

My niece thought that this wasn’t as good either. She gave this 2 stars and a better luck next time.

[SamZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's pretty much nothing better at our house than dancing. As uncoordinated as my almost 5 year old daughter is, she loves ballerinas, dance class, and dance terms. So add all of these together in the precocious world of Fancy Nancy and you're sure to have a hit. Throw in the fact that I don't mind rereading this one several times, and you've got a book that I own. Super cute. Also, the dad reminds me of my husband - the manly engineer who will play princess Barbies with his daughter because she asks. (Although I frequently have to settle disputes when Daddy isn't playing right!)

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fancy Nancy and her fancy vocabulary never disappoints. My two ballerinas adored reading about Nancy's attempt to teach her father to dance ballet. They loved that correct ballet terminology was used (both have danced since they were toddlers). This was a fun and informative picture book. Great for all the little ballerinas out there!

[Elizabeth Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

**previewing for my nieces**

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fancy Nancy: Budding Ballerina by Jane O'Connor
Series: Fancy Nancy 8x8" paperback
Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
Interior Illustrations by Carolyn Bracken
Genre: Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women
Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3
Pages: 24 Paperback 8x8"
Date Published: October 8, 2013
Publisher: HarperFestival

We always enjoy Fancy Nancy around here. This 8x8" paperback is another fun one. A sure way to know your child is learning is when they can teach another. Nancy does a find job instructing her family in the basics of ballet. The other treasure in this book is the interest her daddy shows in her hobby, priceless!

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.

Note: Downloadable matching activity

[Rosa Cline · Rating 2 out of 5]

These "Fancy Nancy" books are suppose to be children's books to teach to read. But all of them have 'big' words in them and often time French words, which I guess if you are teaching your child French is good. But if you have a regular child learning to read these books could be very frustrating.

This issue the only thing I liked about it was that Nancy encouraged her dad when he tried to play ballerina with her. But throughout the book was lots of ballet words, (Which again if ballet is in your daily routine is great but for those of us that only know what ballet is and not the words associated with it this book was very frustrating.) of which I had to often skip when I was reading to my granddaughter.

But again on the positive side, in the book her dad does play with her learning ballet from her, then her mom and little sister join in too. So showing family time which is a nice thing.

[Terry]

Read. Not reviewed.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think my favorite thing about the Fancy Nancy books is how even though her parents aren't fancy by any means, they encourage Nancy in her fanciness instead of trying to change her. We get to see that again in this book, when her father (and then her mother and sister) let Nancy give them ballet lessons. I thought it was cute that the "budding ballerina" wasn't Nancy but her dad. Cute!

[Ribbon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the Fancy Nancy series for introducing big words to young readers. This particular book has lots of ballet terms. For a kid taking ballet, the pictures of positions and moves should help review vocabulary. There's a nice relationship shown between Nancy and her father, which is great for such a girly book.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fancy Nancy and her friend Bree are learning ballet. She knows how to pirouette, jete, and plié. Her dad does NOT know how to dance ballet. So Fancy Nancy has the stupendous idea to teach him. Cute story.

[Jami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this would be more enjoyable, as we're a dance family and big Fancy Nancy fans. However, I did not like the stereotyping of Dad as uncoordinated and the comment about only GIRLS wearing tutus. Pretty disappointed.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Gold Stars!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a pleasure to read to children. Dad is not too proud to learn to dance ballet with his daughter Nancy. Bravo! ( that's fancy for yay)

[Rowan Lehikko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great ⭐

[Bonnie Arriola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girlie Book

[Kristin Fletcher-spear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tonight my kiddo was reading this with me and decided to teach me the ballet moves.

[Torrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love the Fancy Nancy books because of her crazy hair.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Cute story in which Nancy gives ballet lessons to her family and puts on a show with her friend Bree.” - V, age 4

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

SMART 1H 2018 - I've got a total Fancy Nancy fan that I am reading to this year.

[SLoMoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine. Just another installment in the series. We enjoyed the ballet terms, but it wasn’t an especially entertaining book.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I explore Fancy Nancy books from my wonderful public library (that's the Loudoun County Regional Library in Virginia) finding a book in this series about ballet is hardly a shocker.

The pleasant surprise is that this book is not on the only fancy girly-girl theme.

I found this installment of the series to be:

* Delightful
* Lighthearted
* Educational, even self-helpey

THE IDEA OF NANCY'S DANCE ACADEMY

Perfect for this picture book. I especially like the illustration where Nancy makes a sign for her "Free ballet class today!" (All the pictures by Robin Preiss Glasser are positively adorable.)

FIVE STARS for sure

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely Fancy Nancy book with beautiful illustrations and a cute story, where budding ballerina Nancy comes home bursting with enthusiasm to teach her dad how to dance ballet! She sets up a little academy to teach him the basics and the whole family even join in on the fun. Lots of ballet vocabulary introduced including french pronunciation so quite educational as well as fun!

[Audra Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

My little sister Selah picked a book for me to read. Nancy is learning ballet and opens a school for her family to attend. Selah is currently in ballet, so she really enjoys this book. It's a cute book--not one of my favorites, but I didn't mind reading it.

[Barbara Mahoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fancy Nancy series was recommended to me for my granddaughter who loves ballet. I enjoyed reading this story to her. In this cute story, Nancy's Dad is trying to learn ballet. The book contains photos of the different ballet moves.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Hannah Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fancy Nancy is such a cute character. The book is written in such a great way.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy attempts to teach her dad some ballet. A cute father-daughter story.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

We love Fancy Nancy but my kids were disappointed she said only girls wear tutu's. They said boys don't HAVE to wear a tutu, but they can. I agree.

[Kourtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This read inspired Maddie to do her routine for us with Kait.